The
sickening incident took place just three weeks after the Padwagga general store was targeted by thieves in a daring night-time raid.

A police investigation has been launched after a Paisley shopkeeper was battered by a callous thief ... just weeks after her store was robbed of thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes.

Lynda Padwagga was behind the counter at her shop in Glasgow Road on Tuesday morning when a man walked in, picked up a can of energy drink and a packet of cigarettes and tried to leave without paying.

When the 53-year-old shopkeeper tried to stop him in his tracks, the thug poured the can of juice over the floor and then punched her to the ground.

Stunned Mrs Padwagga
called on her husband Balbir, who was outside the shop at the time, and
they confronted the vicious attacker in the street but he boarded a passing bus and fled the scene.

The
sickening incident took place just three weeks after the Padwagga general store was targeted by thieves in a daring night-time raid.

On that occasion, crooks smashed their way into the shop before stealing £6,000 worth of tobacco.

They
also went to the trouble of removing the store’s CCTV system and taking
it with them, which means there is no footage of Tuesday’s attack.

Yesterday, Mrs Padwagga was too upset to comment about the assault.

However, police have appealed for information that will help them catch the culprit.

Detective
Inspector Julie Henry said: “This was a disturbing incident as the suspect never said anything the entire time. He just pointed at what he wanted and then shook his head when he was asked for payment, before trying to leave the shop without paying.

“When
Mrs Padwagga stood in front of the door, he opened the can of juice and
poured it over the floor before punching her to the ground.

“Once
outside, he walked over to the other side of the street but, when Mrs Padwagga and her husband followed him, he dropped the packet of cigarettes and boarded a bus.

“Unfortunately,
due to a previous theft from the shop, there was no CCTV to record the attack, although there were witnesses both inside and most likely outside the shop at the time, who we are keen to talk to.

“The
theft and assault happened between 9.45am and 10am on Tuesday and the suspect is described as being aged around 30, bald and wearing dark blue
jeans, dark trainers and a black fleece with a shiny button on it.

“The complainer also said it looked as though the man had suffered a nose bleed.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.